
As I blogged about previously in my Auburn Alehouse’s Hop Donkey post, I tend not to proactively seek out brewpub beer. Welp, I definitely feel like an ass (see what I did there!) yet again. This past MLK day I visited Tomales Bay for the very first time. Being a Bay Area native, I’m ashamed to admit that I’d never been oyster tasting before. The day was perfect – clear, crisp, and still – to sit outside and enjoy the fresh Marin air with some craft beer, oysters, baked brie, and of course, the company of good friends. We sampled a handful of beers, but Marin Brewing Co.’s Point Reyes Porter was by far the standout. Given its moniker and our current bay front setting 10 miles outside of the quaint town of Point Reyes Station, I figured it would be the perfect beer for the scene. Not only was it perfect for the day, it’s one of the best porters that I've tried recently.
Opening its doors in 1989, Marin Brewing Company has medaled 30 times at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF). To put it into perspective, that’s two more medals than the ever-so-popular Russian River Brewing Co. has won. Granted, Marin Brew Co. has been in business a lot longer than RRBC (about 15 years longer), but not too shabby for the little brewpub across the street from the ferry terminal in Larkspur, CA. The most recent medals have included bronze in the 2014 Foreign-Style Stout category for its San Quentin's Breakout Stout, gold in the 2011 Rye Beer category for its Three Flowers IPA, and gold in the 2009 Robust Porter category for its Point Reyes Porter.
At 6% ABV, this is a great day-drinking dark beer. Its chocolate, roasty goodness is chewier than most non-imperial porters. And, the price is right. The 22 oz. bomber cost me a whopping $6.50 at the touristy The Marshall Store. You can also find it at Whole Foods for about $5. You gotta love a quality, affordable beer. I certainly do.
Opening its doors in 1989, Marin Brewing Company has medaled 30 times at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF). To put it into perspective, that’s two more medals than the ever-so-popular Russian River Brewing Co. has won. Granted, Marin Brew Co. has been in business a lot longer than RRBC (about 15 years longer), but not too shabby for the little brewpub across the street from the ferry terminal in Larkspur, CA. The most recent medals have included bronze in the 2014 Foreign-Style Stout category for its San Quentin's Breakout Stout, gold in the 2011 Rye Beer category for its Three Flowers IPA, and gold in the 2009 Robust Porter category for its Point Reyes Porter.
At 6% ABV, this is a great day-drinking dark beer. Its chocolate, roasty goodness is chewier than most non-imperial porters. And, the price is right. The 22 oz. bomber cost me a whopping $6.50 at the touristy The Marshall Store. You can also find it at Whole Foods for about $5. You gotta love a quality, affordable beer. I certainly do.